Business disputes in Pennsylvania often happen in several different areas. Frequently businesses disagree on the exact terms of prior contracts or arrangements. Also, billing issues and property matters can give rise to disagreements in the business setting.

What to Do in a Business Dispute?

In a business dispute in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the parties should first go over any relevant documents, especially contracts. There may be terms in these documents that determine how to handle the dispute. If the contracts do not have resolution clauses, or neither business has any recorded documents relevant to the dispute, then the matter may need to be taken to court. In trying to discover the best resolution for two parties who have not agreed beforehand on a resolution, Pennsylvania courts will use particular legal principles designed for the situation. The fields of contract law and dispute resolution are defined by local state law. Lancaster County Attorneys are accustomed to handling disputes under Pennsylvania law, and can offer personalized advice for all types of business disputes. Discussion with the other business about how to resolve the dispute may also proceed more smoothly under the direction of an attorney, avoiding the need to go to court.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Sometimes contracts themselves require that disputes under them be resolved outside of court. Methods of conflict resolution of this type are called Alternative Dispute Resolution or ADR. ADR includes Mediation, Arbitration and sometimes a combination of the two. ADR makes going to court unnecessary, because it is designed to reach the same result that a court would have. Still, some methods of ADR entail their own formal procedures, most enlisting a third party to decide a dispute based on local law just as a judge would do. If ADR is to be used in resolving your dispute, an attorney in Lancaster County familiar with ADR procedures can help you develop your case.